Frequently Asked Questions Add to FAQ 8052 BACKGROUND QUESTIONS What is an 8052 Microcontroller? What is a derivative microcontroller / derivative chip? What hardware do I need to do 8052 development? What software do I need to do 8052 development? I have Microsoft Visual Basic/Microsoft Visual C++/Borland C++/etc. Can I use this to develop 8052 programs? I'm a Windows 'C' programmer. Will it be hard for me to program the 8052? I'm a Windows Visual Basic programmer. Will it be hard for me to program the 8052? I prefer C++. Can I program using C++ for the 8052? I prefer Java. Can I program using Java for the 8052? COMPILER/TOOLS QUESTIONS What is the difference between an interpreter, assembler, and compiler? Should I program the 8052 in assembler, 'C', or some other language? What 'C' cross-compilers exist for the 8052? Are there any free assemblers or 'C' compilers for the 8052? I prefer to program in Pascal. Can I do it on the 8052? What is the difference between a simulator and emulator? TIMERS/COUNTING QUESTIONS How can I count something with high frequency? How can I use a timer to count 5 seconds? SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS QUESTIONS How do I set the baud rate for the serial port? I used the formula to calculate a baud rate, but I get a fractional value for TH1. What should I do? When should I set and/or clear TI bit of SCON? My program is writing garbage to the serial port. Why? My program uses the serial port but doesn't seem to send any data. Why? I'm trying to receive data with the serial port but never receive anything. Why? I send one byte to the 8052 and I'm receiving that byte over and over indefinitely. Why? INTERRUPT QUESTIONS What are interrupts? Does an interrupt provide multitasking? My program uses interrupts, but my interrupt only executes once. Why? What is meant by "high level" and "low level" interrupts? What can edge-triggered interrupts be used for? Once in an interrupt, and then in a high-level interrupt, can both interrupts be cancelled? When would I use level triggered interrupts, not edge ? INPUT/OUTPUT QUESTIONS How can I read a value from an I/O line of the 8052? What value do the I/O output latches default to? How can I bring an I/O line high? How can I bring an I/O line low? SOFTWARE QUESTIONS I get an assemble error when I try to PUSH/POP the accumulator. Why? Is there a floating point (FP) package available for the 8052? Is there a way to read the value of the Program Counter (PC)? Can I run Linux on the 8052? How do I convert HEX to ASCII code in assembler? How are lookup tables implemented in 8052 assembler? What is a look-up table HARDWARE QUESTIONS Can 8052 be used with Smart Cards? Why do I need a Latch for external memory ? How can I resolve noise problems? How do I interface an 8255 to an 8052? What alternatives are there to using an 8255? Techniques to improve EMC of system Good PCB layout Techniques What is a reset generator Techniques to redcue EMI of system OTHER MISC. QUESTIONS Can TCP/IP be implemented with the 8052? I'm a DSS hacker/pirate and another site referenced me to this site. Why? Can I decode a barcode with the 8052? Can I interface the 8052 to an IDE hard drive? Can the 8052 dial a phone? Can I decode DTMF dial tones with the 8052? How can I connect the 8052 to an LED to make a moving display? How can an 8052 determine temperature? Is there an IRDA stack for the 8052? What is the difference between a ucontroller, PLC and DSP ? MESSAGE FORUM QUESTIONS Who are the moderators of the forum? Why are message threads occasionally closed? Why are messages or entire threads occasionally deleted completely? Do I need to be a registered user to post? How can I post a message with HTML? As a registered user, may I use all the HTML I like? Sometimes I click on a message or return to the main thread index and my screen comes up blank. Why? Does the Forum require that I enable cookies in my browser? 8052.COM SITE QUESTIONS Who is the Webmaster of 8052.com? How long has 8052.com been online? How many "hits" does 8052.com receive per month? Is 8052.com a commercial site? Is 8052.com for sale? Who wrote and developed 8052.com? May I contribute projects or documents to 8052.com? May I make copies of 8052.com? Why does 8052.com try to pass me HTTP 'cookies'? Do you use cookies to track what pages I view? Do you track what links or advertisements I click on? Do you provide my viewing information to advertisers or third parties? Do you share cookies with any external sites? Do you release user information or email addresses to third parties? (C) Copyright 1997 - 2008 by Vault Information Services LLC. All Rights Reserved. Information provided "as-is" without warranty. Please see details. Contact us for usage and copy permission.